PENNSYLVANIA LETTER.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., April 30, 1896.

Among the more important events at Pennsylvania during the past few weeks is the announcement of several changes in the administration of the college, to go into effect at the beginning of the next academic year. For the past two years the offices of Vice-Provost of the University and Dean of the college have been vested in one person, but the college has grown so large and so complicated as to render the duties of the two offices too burdensome for one person, and so Dr Fullerton will be relieved of the latter office that he may be enabled to devote a larger share of his attention to the duties of the former. Dr. William A. Lamberton, Professor of Greek Language and Literature, who has been for several years Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, will act as Dean of the college, while Dr. William Romaine New-bold will succeed him as Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy. A new departure also is the appointment of a Vice-Dean from among the younger members of the Faculty, who will be especially in contact with the students, and to whom they may go at any time for advice and assistance in all matters that interest them. This will also greatly relieve the work of the Dean, whose time is largely taken up in the oversight of the general interests of the college, such as its relation to the schools, the appointment of instructors, the modification of courses, etc.

Now that the Mask and Wig performances are over until Commencement week, a great deal of interest is centering in the Garrick Club's presentation of Farquhar's "Inconstant," which will be given next Wednesday. The Garrick Club is a dramatic organization working upon somewhat different lines than the Mask and Wig, and whose purpose is to present plays of recognized literary worth and to foster among the undergraduates an interest in real dramatic art. The club has been eminently successful in its work and has presented several old English comedies of the 17th century.

The annual debate between the Philomathean and Zelosophic Societies resulted in a victory for the former after one of the elosest and most interesting debates yet held. The question debated was, "Resolved, That the recent action of the administration of the United States in regard to the present Venezuela boundary controversy was justifiable." J. D. Mahoney '97, Charles S. Langstroth '98, and B. S. Easton '98, representing the Philomathean Society, spoke on the affirmative, while Wm. E. Chapman '96, H. G. Ives '97, and O. V. Willson '99, upheld the negative of the Zelosophic Society.

In athletics, of course, everything is very busy. The baseball team, the cricket team, track team, four crews, and condidates for the football team, are all out practicing on the two athletic fields every day. Judging from the present conditions, Pennsylvania should be very successful in athletics this spring. The baseball team has developed remarkable strength considering the circumstances under which the men have been working, while the unusually large number of men trying for the track team ought to result in a creditable showing later. There will be little opportunity of judging as to the chances in rowing until after the freshman race with Annapolis in May.

THE PENNSYLVANIAN.